From time to time, when writing this column, there is far more to talk about than there is space to write. This is one of those weeks.

On everyone’s mind is the utterly tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London. I drove past it on my way out of London last week and to see the burnt out wreck of that building – a building that was home to hundreds of families and households – is to begin to understand the horror of that night when it burnt down. The news reports and images of that night, and the stories of the many personal tragedies that unfolded, are the stuff of nightmares. The stories of the actions of emergency services, the many, many individuals that acted as heroes helping their neighbours, and the rallying round by the wider community to help, are a tribute to the basic human nature that sees people behave in completely unselfish ways when called upon to help.

It is inevitably the case that there will be enquiries into what happened, and a public enquiry is under way already. But without action that follows the enquiry, it will be in vain. Over the coming weeks and months we will hear of previous fires that have led to calls for action that have gone unheeded. Indeed, the fact that that the residents of Grenfell Tower have repeatedly raised their concerns over fire risk is, I suspect, going to be a key theme of the enquiry.

I have already been in touch with Wyre Forest District Council to suggest that they instigate an inspection of all buildings that may be at risk – buildings such as the two tower blocks at St Cecilias’ Close in Kidderminster. I am pleased to say that when I contact them, they had already started the process of inspections. I am also sure that I won’t have to remind them that we will need to do further checks once the cause of the fire in London has been determined. This has been a tragic reminder of just how easy it is that things can go wrong. We learn lessons from every fire, but the lessons are only useful when actions are put into place as a result, and that the result of one tragedy should be that the next one is prevented.

I can only add that my thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in last week’s tragedy. Truly, truly devastating.